Akatsuki had secret bases established in remote areas across every country, and the Land of Fire was no exception.
After Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki arrived at this secret base, they immediately contacted Deva Path Pain. Deva Path Pain then used the Magic Lantern Body Technique to project the thought-images of the other Akatsuki members here.
Konan, Hiruko, Zetsu, Uchiha Shin, and Sasori, who had been rescued from Sunagakure, appeared one after another. But when the final pitch-black thought-image emerged, both Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki felt somewhat uncomfortable.
"Hehe, long time no see, Itachi, Kisame."
A familiar voice—hoarse, cold, and low—came from the final thought-image.
"...Orochimaru."
Uchiha Itachi raised his head slightly. His blood-red Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly spun as he stared coldly at the man who should have been dead.
"Why is Orochimaru here?"
Kisame Hoshigaki immediately flew into a rage, ready to start cutting people down. "He's a traitor to Akatsuki!"
Deva Path Pain said, "Given that the current situation is unfavorable to us, I revived Orochimaru and recruited him back into Akatsuki."
"Orochimaru, you came back to life even after dying. You really do have a tough life," Hiruko said with a soft laugh, his tone carrying a hint of chill.
Although Hiruko had been recruited into Akatsuki by Orochimaru, the process had not been particularly pleasant.
"Pain, Uchiha Houka is indeed powerful, but if you and Zetsu join forces, you should be able to defeat him, right?" Kisame Hoshigaki said loudly. "So the situation is actually in our favor. There's no need for someone as fickle as Orochimaru!"
"That may not be the case," Orochimaru countered with a smile. "If even I can be revived, then naturally others can be revived as well."
"What do you mean?" Kisame Hoshigaki asked irritably.
Deva Path Pain looked toward